Chapter 135: Chain of Command

Chapter 135: Chain of Command
Magnus’s POV

Magnus snarled, his hands curling into fists so tight his knuckles cracked. His wolf clawed to the surface, begging to be unleashed, to rip that grin off the bastard’s face.

But Xavier’s hand shot out, stopping him, fingers like iron on his arm. “Not yet,” the Beta warned sharply.

Magnus’s lips peeled back over his teeth. He wanted blood — especially since they still could not find his Little Wolf. But he forced himself to stay still. At least for now.

“Release him,” Xavier said, his tone even. His gaze didn’t waver. “Now.”

The scarred hunter only chuckled, his men tightening their grips on their weapons.

Magnus felt the weight of the moment coil tight, ready to snap. His heart thundered. His wolf howled inside him. All he could think was, If Meredith’s anywhere near here, I’ll tear every last one of them apart before they ever touch her.

After all, he had no patience for words and preferred violence to resolve conflict most of the time.

Behind him, Dr. Alexander stood quiet and barely breathing, watching the hunters like a man watching a match about to go bad. He didn’t move to intervene.

Now the captured warrior’s face was a pale blur in the moonlight. He gasped and strained against his silver chains. His eyes widened when he saw Magnus bare his fangs. The other warrior beside Xavier hovered a careful step back, his gaze flicking to Xavier as if waiting for orders.

Suddenly, Xavier’s voice cut through the deafening silence. “We’re looking for our mate,” he said plainly. “She returned here to the human world.”

The scarred man’s amused face faltered slightly — there was even a look of surprise, as if the idea of a woman returning to human life had never crossed him. It seemed hunters were trained not to trust easy answers. The lead hunter’s mouth curled back into a dangerous smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Or maybe,” he said slowly, looking straight at Xavier, “you three are werewolves pretending to search one of your own so you can snatch one of our people off the road — take a human as prey and hunt in our world.” His hand rested casually on the haft of his blade.

Magnus felt his blood boil. The thought of them capturing his Little Wolf made the wolf inside him growl so loud his teeth ached. He wanted to lunge, to tear that hunter’s smug face off. And what the hell is Beta Xavier thinking, telling them that? he thought.

Magnus’s fingers tightened into a fist at his side. He could see the storm beneath Xavier’s eyes. The captured warrior’s gaze pleaded.

The scarred hunter let the words hang a moment. “Unfortunately, we don’t allow werewolves to take our people,” he added. “Not in these parts. If you’re one of them, you’ll answer for it. If you’re not, you better leave — before we make meat out of your bodies.”

The hunters shifted, surrounding them tighter. Magnus immediately tasted his own blood on his tongue, trying with all his might to stay where he stood.

For a beat, the two groups simply stared at each other. Even the forest seemed to be holding its breath as it waited for what was about to happen.

Until Xavier stepped forward just enough for his voice to reach them. “We’re not here to take anything,” he said. “We’re just taking back what’s always been ours. If you know where she might be, tell us right away. If you don’t, then please stand aside…”

The hunter’s sneer deepened. Then he spat on the ground as if disgusted by the idea of letting go that easily.

Magnus finally flexed his fingers. His wolf rumbled, close to breaking free. He watched the hunter’s hand nearly reach for his blade.

He knew that whatever came next, the night had already shifted. This was no longer just a hunt — it was a test that could end with one of them dead and the others surviving.

The scarred hunter’s lips curved into a smile. “You say you’re not here to steal one of ours?” he said. “Fine. Let’s see about that…”

He slowly tapped the flat of his blade against his palm. “Why not a duel? One of you against me. If you win, your man goes free. I give you my word. But if you lose…” His gaze swept over them. “Then you die here. All of you. I’m sorry, but we can’t risk werewolves roaming our world freely.”

Magnus barked a laugh. “Finally…” His wolf howled inside him, clawing at his skin, begging to be let loose. He stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. Even his bones felt ready to snap and stretch. “I’ll take your head off first, scarface…”

“Stand down, Magnus.” Xavier’s voice was sudden. His hand pressed against his chest. It was not a command, but a firm request.

Magnus furrowed his brow. “The bastard wants blood, then I’ll give him blood!” His entire frame trembled as the urge to shift threatened to consume him. More than anything now, he wanted to make that scarred face regret ever opening his mouth.

But Xavier’s grip didn’t waver. His icy stare cut through Magnus’s fire. “No,” he said. “This one’s mine.”

Magnus couldn’t breathe. His wolf snarled against the order, but the weight of Beta Xavier’s tone pressed into him like chains.

“Magnus. Alexander. Hold your ground,” Xavier added firmly, not looking away from the scarred hunter. “Do nothing and just watch. That’s an order.”

“What the hell?” Magnus wanted to argue, but he couldn’t really disobey. He was Gamma, yes. He was hungry, yes. But even he couldn’t break the chain of command — not here, not now.

So he bit down his tongue and snapped his jaw shut. His fists shook. His claws itched.

“Damn it, Xavier,” he growled, but he stepped back all the same.

The scarred hunter chuckled, clearly entertained by their struggle. He pointed his blade toward Xavier. “Come then, dog,” he mocked. “Let’s see if your bite’s as sharp as your stare…”

Magnus’s heart thundered as he watched Xavier calmly step forward. His wolf paced inside him, but beneath it all, Magnus felt something before he could name it — a certainty that if anyone could beat this scarred bastard, it was Xavier.

Forced to watch, he stood back beside Dr. Alexander and one of their warriors. He clenched his fists and thought the same thing over and over: If Beta Xavier falls, I’ll burn this whole forest down to the ground…